Be patient. Children are naturally hesitant to try new things. Expect to expose your child to a food 10-50 times before your child will even taste it.

Family Meal Time

Research has proven that family meals promote healthier eating: more fruits and vegetables on the plate and less fried and high calorie foods.

Here are a few tips to make family meal time fun:

Have a family picnic! If it's too cold or rainy outside, throw a blanket on the living room floor.

Turn off all "screens" and sit together as a family

Try some funny conversation starters, like "If you were stranded on a desert island and could only have one thing with you, what would it be?," "If you could be anyone famous, who would you be and why?," or "What was the best and worst part of your day?"

Spice up the monthly menu by letting each family member plan one dinner per month.

Schedule family meal times. Even if you only have time for fast food, take time to sit together before running to after school activities.